A few weeks ago, a well-known pastor made some comments about adoption--and how a family should 'count the cost' before considering bringing an orphan into their homes. I understood the point he was trying to make but I completely disagree with his stance that 'counting the cost' before obeying God is a Scriptural principle. The term 'counting the cost' is in Luke 14 but the context is deciding if one is going to follow Jesus or not. Counting the cost of following Christ...of whether or not you want to live the Christian life is Scriptural. I cannot find any example of using it to decide if you want to obey.

Did Noah count the cost of building an ark? If he had, I doubt it would have been built.

Moses did not count the cost of feeding and clothing all the Israelites in their 40 year trek through the wilderness. If he had, they would still be in Egypt.

In our experience, God has provided for us AFTER we obeyed...not before. How could we accurately count the cost of raising another child if God had not yet provided the amount? If we 'counted the cost' of our parenting abilities at the time of the decision, we surely would not have proceeded. If we counted the cost regarding our finances, we would have decided we were maxed out.

No, counting the cost is not about obedience. If God tells you to do something, step out in faith. He already knows the ACCURATE cost and He knows that His wells of supply are limitless. Each time we have stepped out in faith, He has increased our abilities to do what we needed to do--be it energy, endurance, patience, finances, etc.

So if He is calling you to do something, STEP OUT in faith! Don't hide behind excuses and Christian cliches.

"I can do ALL THINGS through Christ who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13

16 comments:

I am with SarahGrace, I am sobbing. I just cry out "Jesus, Jesus! Please open the hearts of more people to adopt." It overwhelms me sometimes.

This video hits close to home because I know that our future son and his two older buddies, have watched over the years as one after another of their younger, "cuter" housemates went into the arms of their forver families. Thanks be to God, all three of them will have their happy endings sometime this year. But how many more children like them are there in foster homes and orphanages all over the world?!?

Don't count the cost but just go. Just go and trust God. He doesn't call the equipped. He equips those He calls.

If only the church could open their eyes to what the Gospel really says about orphans. It breaks my heart that so many people MISS out on the blessings we have because they were afraid to step out of their comfort zone. I pray that Jesus, will help those who eyes are closed.

This post completely goes along with the book that I am reading...Dangerous Surrender by Kay Warren. She talks about saying "yes" before we even know what the question is. That is after all true faith.

If people "counted the cost" in this sense every time they came across a decision to be made, there would be a lot of people doing absolutley nothing.

What a great post! You say it well!!I just saw the video on another blog. It is gut wrenching- I just can't even imagine a child without a family and especially not 150 million children without a family.

Count the cost- I can't imagine a minister saying that- it was just plain wrong.

This was a beautiful post and one I needed to hear. I have had some interesting "chats" with people in the last few weeks who have no idea why we would want another child when we already have four children. "Are you out of your mind" they say? Yup, I guess so...I cannot turn away now that I know. Now that I have seen and now that I have a heart for those who wait. The cost is too great if I don't go:)

Wanted to comment last night when I read it, but had to make supper. You should make it a 2 tissue warning.Interestingly enough, our minister mentioned the Luke 14 reference on counting the cost today in church, he was referring to deciding to become a Christian, not adoption.

BTW thank you for the whole post, I needed it...you can read why on my blog post today.www.shallrunandnotbeweary.blogspot.com

That was awesome. Too many pastors are conveniently not getting it. They use the excuse that all our callings are different. I believe if He calls you to sing/teach that does not mean you still shouldn't be adopting/helping orphans. I just wish they would set the example.

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About Me

I am a mom to ten great kids, 6 of whom have 'special needs,' and wife to a wonderful man, who is a gift from God. God has let us get a glimpse of His heart for the fatherless, and He is allowing us to be a small part of His mission to them.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FAVORITE QUOTES: Let my heart be broken with the things that break the heart of God. --Bob Pierce ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and proclaiming, "Wow, what a ride!!!"---Unknown
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Those who never learn to laugh at themselves miss many opportunities to be amused. --unknown
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All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.
--Edmund Burke
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"When people fear their government there is tyranny, when government fears the people there is freedom."
--Thomas Jefferson

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"We witness a miracle every time a child enters into life. But those who make their journey home across time and miles, growing within the hearts of those who wait to love them, are carried on the wings of destiny and placed among us by God's very own hands." ---Kristi Larson